Joel Embiid comes up HUGE late on both ends to lift Sixers to win over Bulls

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but the Sixers will certainly take it.

After getting out to a big lead thanks to a scalding shooting start, the Sixers held on for dear life in Joel Embiid’s return, beating the Bulls 114-109 in Chicago Saturday night.

Embiid was up and down for most of the night, but was sensational late, nailing a huge three and playing exceptional defense on a late DeMar DeRozan drive. The Sixers have now won two in a row to improve their record to 3-4. They’ll be in D.C. to take on the Wizards on Halloween night.

Here are a few takeaways from the win.

First Quarter

• Looks like we’ve got P.J. Tucker on DeMar DeRozan and Tobias Harris on Zach LaVine to start.
• Sixers running the hell out of the Embiid-Harden pick-and-roll and having a ton of success. Embiid found Maxey in the corner on a great read off the short roll. Sixers just getting a ton of looks off what should be their most reliable action.
• It’s amazing how well Tucker can guard fives. He gets switched on to Nikola Vucevic and is able strip him on a back down.
• Harden with a touchdown pass to Harris on the break and the Sixers’ offense is humming. Great start.
• Matisse Thybulle might have sneaked his way into the rotation. He’s the first player off the bench for Maxey. We’ve got some zone with Thybulle and De’Anthony Melton in the game together.
• This is the best Harden and Embiid have looked together maybe ever. Pick-and-rolling the Bulls to death and getting great looks for themselves and others.
• Shake Milton also getting more run tonight. Looks like Danuel House is the odd man out. Frankly, I can’t blame Doc Rivers for that decision. Not a huge fan of the all-bench looks, but give this group credit. They were good last night against the Raptors and have carried it over. They’re moving the basketball and playing with energy on defense.
• Outstanding first quarter from the Sixers, jumping out to a 37-22 lead. Embiid with eight points. Harden with five and five assists. Melton with six points on a pair of threes and two assists.

Second Quarter

• House does wind up checking in. Doc really expanding the rotation.
• The effort in transition has been night and day over the last two games. Defense in general has been much more cohesive.
• Embiid checks back in and immediately gets a put-back bucket. Sixers up big, 46-30.
• The Sixers might be up 40 if not for DeRozan. He’s living at the free throw line so far. Embiid, Maxey and Thybulle all with three fouls.
• Bulls making some inroads after Embiid goes to the bench. Maxey getting an extended rest here as well. It’s 54-44, Sixers. DeRozan with a game-high 18.
• Harden really struggling from the field tonight. He’s 1 of 7. Chicago cuts it to 56-53. Sixers having a rough time defending the paint without Embiid. Having trouble scoring without Embiid and Maxey.
• Sixers close the quarter on an 8-3 run. Strong halves from Harris (11 points, 3 of 4 from three) and Tucker (eight points, 2 of 2 from three). Embiid…